1521: Reformation and Transformation
On this day in 1521, Henry VIII received the title 'Defender of the Faith' (Fidei Defensor) for supporting Catholic principles. Within a decade, he would lead the Church of England in an unprecedented breakaway from the authority of the pope and the Catholic Church.
Henry wanted to divorce his first wife, but he needed the approval of the Pope. When the Pope refused, he established the Church of England.
At the same time, the Reformation—a movement against papal authority and the practices of the Roman Catholic Church—was sweeping through Europe.
Up until then, the Roman Catholic Church had held significant influence over people's lives. Latin was the language of religious texts and worship, and there were strict rules about how people could worship.
But Protestants challenged these traditions.
They formed their own churches, read the Bible in their own languages, and did not pray to saints or at shrines; they believed that a person’s own relationship with God was more important than submitting to the authority of the Church.
The establishment of the Church of England was a pivotal moment for Britain, setting the stage for the development of the multicultural landscape of modern-day Britain.
Henry VIII is remembered for many things, but his reshaping of the religious landscape is perhaps the most profound.